Check your phone NOW: Vodafone has switched off its 3G network leaving millions … trends now

It ushered an era of super-fast communications, letting us access the internet on the go for the best part of 20 years. 

But the days of 3G appear to be numbered, as one of the UK’s biggest mobile operators has finally ended the service. 

Vodafone has switched off its 3G network so it can invest more money in 4G and 5G, which the majority of its customers now use. 

However, it means Vodafone customers with old 3G smartphones that don’t support 4G or 5G – such as the iPhone 5 and older – will have to buy a new phone. 

Here’s how to see if you’ll be affected by the change. 

Vodafone reassures that the vast majority of smartphones will not be affected as they run on 4G or 5G. 

However, models that run on 3G include the iPhone 5 and earlier and Samsung Galaxy S4 and earlier. 

Users of these models will have to upgrade to a newer device if they want to keep accessing internet on the go, although they’ll still be able to make and receive calls and texts. 

Vodafone announced its national 3G shutdown at the beginning of 2022 before it progressed in stages from June last year.  

It claims the switch-off – which was finally completed this week – will let the firm become more energy efficient and focus on its 4G and 5G networks. 

‘Our focus remains to continue to build the UK’s most reliable mobile network and to continue to do this, we need to ensure our technologies are fit for purpose,’ said Andrea Dona, Vodafone’s UK network director.

‘Now is the time to say goodbye to 3G and focus on the current benefits and future possibilities of our 4G and 5G networks.’ 

Mr Dona said Vodafone’s 4G and 5G network will get ‘stronger and faster’ from the repurposing of 3G spectrum – the invisible radio frequencies that wireless signals travel over.  

A move away from 3G will also reduce the firm’s environmental impact, as modern 5G networks are more than 10 times as energy efficient as old 3G equipment. 

The retirement of Vodafone’s 3G network is also ‘an important part’ of its aim to reach net zero for its UK operation by 2027.